Morgan Harrington Murder: A Security Check On Security- Why Did It Fail?

Moramysara

Charlottesville, VA-

On the afternoon of October 17, 2009, Morgan Harrington and three of her friends drove to John Paul Jones Arena, located on the University of Virginia campus, to attend a long-anticipated Metallica concert. Following an apparent fall and chin injury occurring around the time she was visiting the ladies room, Morgan ended up outside the arena and attempted to gain re-entry to the venue.


How and why she got there comes in at a baffling second only compared to what happened to her next.


Nine months ago Dr. Dan and Gil Harrington, Morgan’s parents were notified their daughter was missing which is when their nightmare began.


On November 5, 2009, the day before a search which was organized at the request of the Harrington’s was to commence, a vintage black Pantera t-shirt placed on a bush in front of an apartment complex at the intersection near 15th Street and Grady Ave.  was located by a nearby resident.


While this discovery was not released publicly, Charlottesville PD knew immediately it belonged to Morgan Harrington. Sara Snead, one of the friends that accompanied Morgan to the concert, immediately confirmed the distinct vintage design that compelled Morgan to borrow the t-shirt from her a week before the show.


Subsequently, DNA analysis confirmed the t-shirt was indeed the same one Morgan was wearing the night she disappeared.


On January 26, 2010 the remains of Morgan Harrington were discovered by David Bass, owner of Anchorage Farm, located in Albemarle County. Although her cause of death has not been released, her manner of death has been classified as a homicide by the Virginia State Police.


Dan and Gil Harrington marked the nine-month anniversary of Morgan’s disappearance from her memorial on Copeley Bridge 4 days ago.

Gil Harrington’s impassioned statement made it clear that her family’s mission is to prevent what happened to Morgan from happening to another victim and their goal is to educate young women about safety and personal security.


On July 1st, based upon an article posted on blinkoncrime.com inside sources confirmed a forensic link between Morgan’s homicide and a Fairfax County Case. Research on this case indicates it was a violent sexual assault that happened in 2005. The victim assisted in the sketch of a man police wish to interview in connection with both the Fairfax assault as well as the apparent abduction and murder of Morgan Harrington. .

FairfaxAgeProgress

What did it mean to the investigation and to the parents of young women in Charlottesville? We have a serial offender on the loose in multiple jurisdictions and an immediate need to beef up personal security.


As our very vulnerable student body returns to campus next month, blinkoncrime.com provides a glimpse at current conditions.


Unregulated Regulations In Security

The 2004 General Assembly, through House Joint Resolution (HJR122), requested the Virginia State Crime Commission to study safety at Virginia’s institutions of higher education. As a result, DCJS created the Office of Campus Policing and Security (OCPS) to address the law requiring minimum training and employment standards for campus security officers.


Campus Security Regulations for Institutions of Higher Education in the State of Virginia, fall under the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Private Security Services Advisory Board. Below is an excerpt of the unapproved draft meeting notes of their quarterly meeting held December 8, 2009; the first and only since Morgan’s disappearance from JPJ.


The issue of safety and security on college campuses was addressed in a 2006 Crime Commission Study on Campus Safety. This study resulted in the statutory requirements under Code of Virginia (Code) §9.1-102 (49).


College populations represent a large concentration of students between the ages of 18-25 years with limited supervision and life experience. In terms of homeland security, campuses are identified as “soft targets” and are frequently targeted by domestic and foreign terrorists. Campuses also house volatile materials and research facilities that are also targeted by radical elements in society. Campuses host large stadium events and concerts that are potential targets for terrorism and riots. Most campuses also have facilities that are open to the public and are relatively difficult to secure and lockdown.   Campus Security Officers are primary first responders to incidents of crime and violence on campus.


Although UVA campus security officers require a certification provided by DCJS, there are ZERO regulatory standards for certification. It was NOT until Morgan Harrington disappeared from the grounds of the JPJ Arena that emergency regulations were sought from Governor Bob McDonnell.


How does a woman on the campus of a University that provides it’s very own Police Department in addition to event security simply vanish without a trace?


By the time Morgan ends up in a hay field 7 miles away, she has passed through 3 different law enforcement jurisdictions and a slew of private campus and event security agencies and personnel.  While private security regulations fall under the umbrella of the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, they also require a judicial amendment only if and when they are approved via “emergency” status by the Governor.


Who’s Looking Out For The Kids, Exactly?

As the safety on campus study showed, our college age kids are at their most vulnerable in the University setting.  Out from under the watchful eye of Mom and Dad and wading through the rich culture and nightlife of downtown Charlottesville, students face a host of potential safety risks.


In fact, during the very development of this article, I received an alert from UVA security that a UVA student was sexually assaulted in the area of Roosevelt Boulevard. While I commend the swift response and warning from UVA PD chief Michael Gibson, I can’t help but wonder if a similar alert upon learning Morgan disappeared from the UVA/JPJ campus would have made a difference for her.


A simple Google of “Charlottesville security” produces the front page for HH Security Services, Inc, a local private security and bail bonding firm.  I am no expert but isn’t it a bit odd to claim to protect one’s security and then bond out someone that may threaten it in the first place?


Who is vetting the security that is responsible for ensuring safety?


While HH Security or it’s employees have no known ties whatsoever to the Harrington case, it is a prime example of the weakness of current security regulations, involving students and private events, 6 years in the making.


RoderickHoward1At H & H Security Services, Inc. we specialize in Private Investigation, Private Security both armed and unarmed as well as fast efficient Civil Process Service.  Our full-time professional agents are well trained, well equipped, well informed, and discreet.? Owner Rod Howard is a native of Charlottesville and central Virginia, where he’s been a well respected business owner for over twenty years. H & H Security Services, Inc. is his vehicle in his effort to help serve and protect the community he grew up in. Over the years he’s assembled a team of certified and experienced personnel who share his commitment to the safety of the community.


HH Bail

HH Security, in a business journal ad, claims to hire members of law enforcement and be very well connected with various police departments and security agencies for nightclubs, special events and home security checks as well in 2007.


HH Security is the security firm of choice for Club 216, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Rivals, which are bars frequently visited by UVA students and athletes.


Roderick M Howard, owner of HH Security and H&H Car detailing maintains active licenses issued through the VA Dept of Criminal Justice Services for private security and as a bailbondsman.


While blinkoncrime editors were researching this piece, a review of Albemarle County Court records show Roderick Howard was arrested for felony rape in 1993, subsequently indicted for same and a year later on the first day of trial, pled guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery whereby he was sentenced to 12 months, 11 of which were suspended and two years unsupervised probation.

Howard was also arrested a few times for felony bad checks; both cases ended nolle prosequi.


How can an accused rapist and convicted sexual batterer hold a dual license in the private security sector as well as two classifications of firearms, all of which is monitored by the VADCJS? It is specifically stated in the regulations regarding moral turpitude AND sexual battery that the VADCJS MAY DENY an applicant on those grounds.


According to Mr. Howard’s own advertisement, he has been in the security industry since 1989. Would that mean he was employed in the security field when he was arrested for rape?


Shockingly, It may be perfectly legal. Although the administrative statute for licensure prohibits granting a license to someone with a misdemeanor sexual battery conviction, if Howard divulged the crime in his application and requested a waiver from the director at the time, it is possible one was granted.


Blinkoncrime.com spoke to Lisa McGee, Regulatory Program Manager for DCJS, private security advisory committee:


“…there is a code in the statute that allows the potential for both an individual convicted of a felony and the outlined misdemeanors exceptions contained therein to obtain a director’s waiver. Two felonies we would never even consider are rape and murder, but dependent upon the criminal offense, the circumstances and the length of time that has transpired with a clean record, the verbiage in the statute would allow an applicant to at least request a waiver for our consideration…”  Lisa McGee

Ms. McGee was not able to address Mr. Howard’s file specifically, citing privacy laws, but she was able to verify that Mr. Howard’s registration with the agency is current.


There are however, some discrepancies in the press release written to announce the “restructuring” of both companies, announced October 19th.

HH pressr

For starters, there was only a name change to Mr. Howard’s business, which actually took place prior to the October 19 release date, in May, 2009.


These are not two separate businesses. In fact, the bailbondsman license issued to Mr. Howard’s agent, Anthony Halstead, leads back to Accelerated Bail Bonds, which is not a listed entity in the state of Virginia or listed as a fictitious name for H&H Security Services.


I would be willing to wager that the police departments that allow off duty security employment with this firm would appreciate some clarification on both the personnel and licensing issues.

There has been no arrest in the homicide of Morgan Harrington. In a statement released by Corrine Geller, PR manager for the Virginia State Police, VSP has received approximately 100 significant leads from the release of the sketch of the alleged perpetrator of the 2005 Fairfax County sex assault.


Dan and Gil Harrington will be meeting with new University of Virginia President, Teresa Sullivan, next month to address safety and security issues on campus.

“..People think it cannot happen to them, IT CAN– Dan Harrington.”

Editors Note: I am not a resident of Virginia. However, I think the interest of the safety of our children is a National one. Any person that is placed in a position of public trust, most especially those that come into contact with our vulnerable students, should be REQUIRED to disclose past convictions that would negate them that position without some sort of subjective “pass”.  How can we know-TRULY KNOW the level of presumed safety if we really aren’t aware of the backgrounds of those in charge of it?


Blinkoncrime.com editors Jason Mateos, Elizabeth Morton and Madeline Tanner contributed to this report

Images by Klaasend

Related Posts:

2,469 Comments

  1. deetee says:

    i can’t find cuz’ MW on fb anymore. “deleted” account?

    imo it sounds like wagons are being drawn and circled. i also think many people will be surprised at how many people had some knowledge of this crime. i am now quite hopeful it is down to a race of who sings like a bird first.

    Yep.
    Check the myspace. Note the new “mood” and date?
    It had not been logged into since October 17, 2009 previously, and was that way a few days ago.
    Baby Mamma now has same pic on her myspace, although the 2 had previously broken up very publicly on their facebook.
    ?

  2. Highlander says:

    After reading the following article and comments about the dismissal and demotion of officers involved in inappropriate behavior, I wonder if the placement of Morgan’s body had more to do with a statement to LE than one to Mr. Bass.

    http://www.readthehook.com/blog/index.php/2010/03/05/officers-punished-including-one-who-shot-eppard/

    Could the person who placed Morgan’s body on AF been sending a message to LE and not the Bass’s as we have thought or pondered?

    This comment by GasBag Self Ordianed Expert, who if you’ve followed this case, has LE connections although admittidely strained, makes me wonder if some officers might have been involved in other questionable activities that the placement of Morgan’s body was in essence blackmail from the perps. In my sceneriao I think it would take more than a sex scandal to keep this quiet. In the comment below he mentions a deceased state trooper which I can only assume is Mr. Morris. Is former corporal Caroline Morris, now demoted to officer, any relation to the deceased state trooper? I too agree with GASbag Self Ordained Expert that I don’t think LE was involved in Morgan’s death, but perhaps they were getting to close to folks who were involved.

    *********************
    Gasbag Self Ordained Expert March 6th, 2010 | 2:32 pm
    quote: “What does this mean? Feds have been here for decades.”

    I could tell you who is in town and what they are doing. But it would jeopardize their mission. :)

    It has nothing to do with ecounty police sexcapades.

    quote: “Pretty curious what people were saying to get so many comments deleted by the forum god.”

    I could tell you. But it would get deleted again. Wasn’t a big deal anyway, everybody in town knows about it. A former state trooper (now deceased) use to chuckle every time I used to ask him if he had been to so and son address anymore lately!

    quote: “George Bailey may have been many things, but he made sure his deputies understood who they worked for.”

    True, they worked for him, the sheriff. This is why the county Board of Supervisors wanted a cop shoppe to replace the sheriff’s office.

    quote: “I dont understand the connection to the anchorage farm other than a photo of the officer standing there.”

    The guy in the image above is the Lt. that was just disciplined, Hopwood. It’s common knowledge now that he has been suspended and will rturn to work in April.

    Another connection that is posted on the NBC 29 News forum is the fact that many of these “things that go bump in the night” adventures took place near the Anchorage Farm. While I do find this somewhat disturbing, I don’t personally believe for one second that a cop was involved in Morgan Harrington’s disappearance and murder though
    **********************

    NBC 29 article detailing the officers suspensions. One of the demoted officers, Steve Cox, is apparently married to former NBC 29 reporter Beth Duffy, now with Newsplex.
    http://www.nbc29.com/global/story.asp?s=12091709

    Just a different angle to look at things from since we’re having troubles making the connection of the perps to AF.

  3. first-time says:

    @highlander
    September 14, 20101 @ 11:53a.m.

    I’m right there with you. I also went back and started re-reading the comments on the Eppard shooting and the sex scandal in local LE. I have the same feeling you do, that perhaps the AF placement was a message to those cops who also used the location for unbecoming behavior. OR, perhaps there are officers who are very familiar with AF, but who have no GOOD reason to be there.

    I am a few steps behind Blink and Eloise (well, maybe more than a few, lol), but I am confident they are on the right track, and LE must be even closer.

    In fact, Freakshow and Friends: I’d be looking over my shoulder. They know who you are and what you have done. The ducks are lining up nicely. One of yours will start singing shortly to try to save their own necks. They are coming for you soon.

    241

  4. crime writer says:

    Can’t comment, sorry.

  5. alexandra says:

    Two-Four-One dear Morgan. Theeo-Tessera-Ena.

  6. redly says:

    Hummingbird says:
    September 13, 2010 at 4:06 pm

    . . . .

    A District Attorney friend of mine, quite experienced and established in the field of violent crime,told me that being a Judge in childrens’ court is looked down on. That employees who are being professionally reprimanded, often are sent to that division as a sort of punishment and demotion.
    Apparently a Judge presiding over childrens’ court is not very respected and much less likely to rise with in the ranks of power.

    _________________________________________________

    It has nothing to do with not taking crimes against children seriously and the assignments are not really arbitrary. As someone who has appeared in these courts (and who works with someone who practices exclusively in them to take the burden of the rest of us — my state assigns lawyers to juvinile cases), I can tell you that they are simply awful. It is just overwhelming to see the hopelessness of these kids and there is much more often than not no good solution — either removing them from their parent and putting them in another questionable situation, or deciding custody between two questionable parents. It is mostly a no win situation and very depressing and, frankly, you don’t need to be Oliver Wendell Holmes to rule on the issues you see there so its not very intellectually stimulating either (IMO). That is why most judges do not want to get this docket and it is seen as less attractive — it is really just a miserable docket. However, there are folks willing to make the sacrifice to do it and the cases all get covered.

  7. redly says:

    Eloise says:
    September 14, 2010 at 1:01 am

    . . . .

    The other interesting thing is on the use of tasers in the Charlottesville area.

    http://www.readthehook.com/blog/index.php/2010/04/22/tased-and-contused-after-injuries-albemarle-pd-redraws-policy/

    ————————————————

    IMO, if you go to a game (especially an away game) and get that drunk and cause problems for everyone around you and then try to flee from the police, you shouldn’t complain about getting tasered. In fact, you should probably thank them from stopping you running in front of a car or stampeding over some kid and hurting yourself or, more importantly, someone else.

    The “victim” in question also happens to be a career criminal who has since been indicted for attempted capital murder for trying to run down a policeman while driving while drunk (caught for the third time — I am sure he has probably done it many other times that he wasn’t caught).

    http://www2.dailyprogress.com/news/2010/aug/02/grand-jury-indicts-i-64-wrong-way-driver-ar-358811/

    redly- while I agree with you this kid is a train wreck, I believe the regulations were changed with good reason.

    In a civil assault, you are really only allowed to protect yourself with the same applied force as your attacker, or threat thereof.

    He was drunk, handcuffed, and in no danger of running into the street. He was a nuisance and a threat to others potentially yes, but 5 cops couldn’t catch him? No way.
    B

  8. lee says:

    Highlander….Wow…just WOW! So many entanglements here it makes one’s head spin. We need a big e-whiteboard and put people and events on it to connect the dots…

  9. In Memory of Gini says:

    Blink,

    Article on a local Cville news site. Are children are constantly at risk. Parents need to educate their children in the dangers in society. We are no longer able to bury our heads in the sand. We must stay aware.

    http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/102859424.html?storySection=story

    Sex Offenders Arrested at Area High School Football Game
    The Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrested two convicted sex offenders who were spotted August 27 at an Orange County High School football game.

  10. In Memory of Gini says:

    Blink – note the wording of this article:

    “The incident brought a tragic year on Grounds to a close. Last September, Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington disappeared while attending a concert on Grounds. Police say she was murdered but have made no arrests.”

    “On Grounds” – so does this show that UVA does have some responsibility for the security of this arena?

    http://www.newsplex.com/news/headlines/102874084.html

    Grass From UVa Lawn Part of Yeardley Love Discussion
    University of Virginia President Teresa Sullivan is offering more specifics about the “Day of Dialogue” on Grounds. The event is a response to the violent death of UVa. lacrosse player, Yeardley Love.

    Thanks imog-

    My issue is, there will not be discussion of Morgan’s case that day, only Yeardley’s.
    I think it is interpretable as to “grounds”. I don’t believe Morgan was hitchhiking on that bridge and I never will.

    No phone, no pocketbook, no jacket, in the rain while my friends are inside at the concert my Dad paid for with my keys to my warm, dry car- no effing way.
    B

  11. Judi says:

    Wow! I always thought how terrible it is that there is such a thing as human trafficking to begin with, that men actually do this woman, especially underage girls.

    BUT….women trafficking underage girls…UNBELIEVABLE!

    http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/09/14/uk.trafficking.case/index.html?hpt=T2

  12. redly says:

    The concert was on Grounds. Grounds is another word for campus.

    redly, thank you, we are aware of that, I think the issue was whether or not there would be acceptance and/or accountability that she in fact, did go missing from the campus/grounds.
    B

  13. Blink says:

    crimewriter- I am unable to confirm the unidentified female whose phone Morgan may have used- do you have a source on that?

    All I have is Geller’s statement they had no proof she did, just asking in general, and it was not gender specific.

  14. DMB says:

    I am forever touched by this case and it deeply saddens me that the one year anniversary is approaching and still no arrest. Praying that the evil that took Morgan is caught soon!

    http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/102893839.html

    ..”Well-wishers have been placing signs, flowers, painted rocks and other mementos on the bridge since last fall. These will be removed and sent to the Harrington family on Oct. 4 in preparation for the dedication and memorial…”

    I know I am going to seem like a wet blanket, for that I apologize.

    I was aware this being planned, and I am having a very hard time standing behind the wording of the plaque.

    “was seen alive on the bridge”?

    Really, last I heard, it was a woman matching her description.

    Oh how I wish I could just go with the flow sometimes, I so want the Harrington’s have a memorial for Morgan they deem fitting, I just feel this wording is more like the first line of a defense request for discovery motion.

    I’m sorry if I offend anyone excited about it.

    B

  15. localcvillegirl says:

    Sorry, I hit “submit” too quickly. The above post (4:34 pm) is a link to a newsplex story on Morgan’s memorial. She is not being forgotten here.

  16. localcvillegirl says:

    I absolutely give up.

    How is that localcvillegirl? Do you think in an unsolved murder case it is appropriate to put “last seen alive on this bridge” when we have zero idea as to the credibility of that account?

    Morgan’s own Mother and Father believe that Morgan was abducted, as in, did not leave of her own free will.

    Maybe it is me.
    B

  17. localcvillegirl says:

    Respectfully, the Harrington’s seem to believe that Morgan was last seen on that bridge, thus the memorial to date. At least that’s the way I understand it. I know you have a problem with the “hitchhiking” theory, as most of us do…from what I understand dogs found her scent on that bridge, and apparently someone (possibly only LE and the Harringtons know of this person for sure) saw her on the bridge. Again, I don’t know much of anything for sure…the public just isn’t privy to what is going on in the investigation. I wish I knew more, as do we all.

    It just seems that UVa is damned if it does, and damned if it doesn’t. Same with the town of Charlottesville to most who read here at BOC. Every now and then it just gets to me that when people in this community are genuinely concerned about Morgan and the Harringtons, and concerned that her murderer is still out there, we are still at fault. From what I understand, Morgan left that arena on her own, she was not kicked out…LE apparently knows the reason she left, and unknown to the public, she walked away from the crowd and towards the bridge. The concert had not yet started when she left, so there were undoubtedly people outside. I’ve been to several concerts at JPJ, many times late, and there are police all over the place. Corrine Geller said in an early statement that they reviewed all video from JPJ and surrounding businesses and there was no sign of Morgan or her friends. It’s all just so surreal, and every now and then I wish someone would admit that UVa might possibly not be culpable for Morgan’s death. They are trying to do what they can, and according the Harrington’s statement, they seem to be thankful for the memorial. I’m sure everyone at UVa would rather bring Morgan back to life, but none of us can.

    What you wrote is entirely fair. I apologize for you or anyone else taking my sentiments on the matter more personally than I intended. There is no question she should have a memorial plaque.
    My issue is with the verbiage, and I would remind everyone of Casteen’s statement following Yeardley’s murder that it “happened on private property” and not on campus.

    The Harrington’s are glad to have Morgan memorialized and I will support them 100%.

    For me, this is not about placing blame on anyone other than who took Morgan’s life, but if that “extends” to UVA, then they have a responsibility to Morgan as well.

    I openly admit I am absolutely slanted to a successful prosecution in this case and thus my vantage point.
    B

  18. Amy says:

    I had the same sentiment B so many things dont add up and maybe the biggest one is her hitchhiking away from safety

  19. meadow says:

    Hello and thank you to all who responded to my evening rant and sadness. Houston Mom I get you, I’m there. And I agree as well that being here with Blink et al. is part of one aspect of a solution. Thank God it exists and is totally proactive and constructive, largely imo, d/t the way Blink runs the place. BOC is a safely guarded container that serves and holds, what I perceive, to be a real search for truth.

    Mom3, I don’t know if I was the catalyst for your post about censorship, I feel I must have been. However, I said nada about censorship. Don’t believe in, would never condone it and strongly do not believe that ‘morality’ can be legislated. I treasure literature and art, music….and will even admit to a Nine Inch Nail phase not long ago :) . You may have been extrapolating for yourself but I want to make it clear I didn’t and don’t condone censoring anything, except child porn and anything to do w/violence against children. NOw do I wish that alot of the crap out there wasn’t? Yes. But I also don’t believe in imposing my will on others.

    In fact, the point I was attempting to make albeit poorly, was that I am of the belief, and trying to practice, ‘discernment’-for me. That this discernment can only come from w/in me. To examine my own behaviors and tendencies that desensitizes, disrespects me and others, diminishes humanity vs. enriching or enhancing it. There is a saying that war will end when people stop their own internal wars via self examination, self censorship, discernment, changing habits, etc… I largely believe this even as we as a society are assaulted hourly with tasteless-imo-vulger trash. It has sped up as well. A hundred years ago people never had this sort of exposure to so much and with such intensity. It is an unprecedented realm and imo I feel we all have an individual responsibility to ask of ourselves how far we will allow this overload to encroach upon us in our lives. There is data that does correlate violence/sex with repeated exposure whic concerns me. The answer can never really be to prohibit it as it will only drive it further underground and even maybe make it more desirable for some. No, I do believe we are called to be self regulators and self aware, always understanding we are fully responsible for what we do with our time here. Free will can be a prison or a liberation. It’s up to each one of us, moment by moment, each day. So I was only speaking for me and where I try to make the world around me a more conscious and awake place. Sorry if I offended you, for that was so not my intent.

    As far as the Bible goes-and I am not very biblically literate :( , what I do know, the little I have meditated upon is that the Bible is a historically revelatory living text that demonstrates how and why, over time,the ways we are becoming more divine. Christ comes and demonstrates (I say demonstrates in the present b/c I believe He is forever) forgiveness, love and the realm of what the Kingdom holds, can hold if we commit. If anyone is interested there is an utterly fascinating book that holds that Christ demonstrated the end of the victim/persecutor cycle by His life as an Innocent and death thru His persecution. The book changed my life. It’s Violence Unveiled: Humanity at the Crossroad by Gil Bailie, a profoundly thoughtful and brilliant man. And no he’s not related :) ! He expounds upon the work of another brilliant professor, anthropologist: Rene Girard who had a revelation about the Bible/God’s word, when he approached it from an anthropologic view that ended up turning his life upside down and brought him back to his long lost Christian/Catholic roots. These men have much to say about the nature of violence w/in humanity and the shift that occurred with Christ’s coming and leaving. Okay I’ll shut up.

    So I’ve taken away from Morgan and the topic at hand and do apologize for this, didn’t mean to distract. I feel so helpless and frustrated and you all seem to be about the only ones I feel safe enough to express it t. At least I feel heard and understood, so I thank every one of you guys for being here and caring the ways you do.

  20. orangeparkgirl says:

    I usually stick to just lurking as I am usually overwhelmed and impressed by the research being done and have nothing significant to add, but I’d like to comment on the plaque being added to the bridge and the article posted from NewsPlex about Morgan’s plaque..

    It bothers me that this plaque is being put there because of the reason Blink mentioned, but also, I believe I remember reading some time ago that the Harrington’s wish was to maintain the bridge memorial with everything put there until Morgan’s killer(s) were found and then they would take it down and take it home? And now UVA is just scooping it all up and sending it to the Harrington family on October 4? Is that the standard amount of time that people can mourn the unsolved abduction of a young woman? Or is it just time to “clean up” the community of the items on the bridge that attract attention to the crime- it already seems no one wants Wanted posters around town, why have a bridge that calls attention to the “dead girl”. As seen by the first comment to the article by BridgeDriverStudent- in her opinion “the only good thing about this [a permanent memorial being placed] is all the items distracting drivers there on the bridge will be removed. And hopefully there will be no more family press conferences there either.” Has the town moved on from Morgan, or is this just the University trying to pull away again and show that they were not involved and that she was DEFINITELY on this bridge and DEFINITELY NOT on campus? Is this really the way to go to bring her justice? Sweep away all the reminders?

    The other thing that angers me after reading the passionate, heart-wrenching words of Gil’s blog, is the UVA president saying they would like to mark Morgan’s “passing”. Once again in the words of Gil Harrington, “Morgan was not “missing” – she was snatched. Things did not get “out of hand” – Morgan was assaulted and raped. Morgan did not “pass away” – she was murdered and slaughtered.”

    A B S O L U T E L Y.

    She was murdered. Not interchangeable with “passing”.
    B

  21. cadillac says:

    Just a thought about the MMA connection:

    I am very familiar with MMA, in the sense that I know young men that train and participate in this “sport.” It is a combination of training that includes wrestling (the real kind, not pro) and boxing. Although I am certainly very glad my son does not compete in the sport, it is a sport that has combined the two sports above and these young men take it seriously. As lay people, it can certainly be seen as “fighting”.

    My point here is that someone that is involved with MMA may be involved with this crime, but MMA did not cause that individual to be mean and violent. Trust me, (ha), I have many wrestlers in my family and know of many trained boxers, and THEY are NOT violent men.

    I agree with this.
    B

    I am in no way defending anybody associated with the horrific crime committed against our Morgan, and they may be involved with MMA – but MMA did not create the monster. Maybe the monster just happens to be a MMA fighter?

  22. Ode says:

    No one but the monsters that took Morgan’s life know where she was last seen alive. How can you put last seen alive as a memorial when those that know that fact are not yet held accountable???? I have vacillated on my personal plans for October 17th 2010. I have wanted to come to the bridge…I am scarred to come to the bridge…(I am sorry to admit that)…I want what the Harrington’s want. I am just going to have to cry for awhile and figure it out tomorrow.

  23. redly says:

    UVA does not own the bridge. It belongs to the city and I am sure they do want the sidewalk back at some point while still showing sensitivity to the harringtons and morgan’s memory. With all due respect, IMO charlottesville has done a lot to honor morgan’s memory. There are not many murders in charlottesville so it is difficult to compare but I don’t think any other murder has received close to similar treatment from the city. It does seem like they cannot win for trying sometimes. As for the use of the word passing, its a memorial to her not to her murder. Ms. Sullivan used a word that doesn’t focus on what the bad guy did to her. Maybe its not perfect, but few of us are.

    I have to say redly, I respect you very much, but I find you as guilty of a lack of objectivity as you accuse others of. There was one murder in 2009.

    Morgan Harrington.

    And considering the fact that Yeardley Love’s murder is getting an entire day of “dialogue” ON CAMPUS, I do not think the issue is focused on specific injuries to these women, but the broader subject matter.

    The sidewalk is passable, no?
    B

  24. MsL says:

    First, I believe the Harringtons absolutely believe Morgan was seen and perhaps disappeared from the bridge. It is the place they return to frequently. As locacvillegirl wrote, they probably know much more than we, the public, know about why that spot is thought to be her last known live sighting. Reading the Newsplex article, not the comments written by citizens, it seems that the Harringtons are in favor of the memorial. I am sure they realized that at some point, the makeshift memorial would have to be removed. Actually, I am surprised it has been left intact for so long. Not that I believe the University or VDOT, whoever has responsibility for that spot on the bridge, would have removed it. I am just surprised that someone, thinking they were funny, hadn’t decided to chuck the rocks onto the train tracks below. There are mean people everywhere. Just recently, two people were arrested in Greene County for destroying tombstones and setting fire (twice) to the church that owned the cemetery. No reason apparently, just a desire to destroy.

    As to “passing” from yourdictionary.com

    “noun

    1. the act of one that passes; specif., death

    While passing is not synonymous with murder, it is a noun defined as death. The President could have said “would like to mark Morgan’s death.” While there is 0 possibility IMO that Morgan was not murdered, I would doubt that the University President would use the word “murder” until an official charge has been placed against an individual.

    I respect you MsL, but I do not need a wiki on the difference between “passing” and a brutal rape and homicide. Seriously? You have provided such a historical and local perspective with objectivity and grace, I do not get this post. Not from you.

    The VSP has classified her death as a homicide. What more does one need?

    “Passing” as far as UVA is considered in this context, is “passing” over what happened to Morgan.

    If anyone wants a little current Body Farm Training as it relates to similarities in Morgan’s death and decompostion, let me know. Actually maybe that is in order here. What this young beauty, full of love and life endured, was horrific.

    Perhaps my friend Kathy Reichs can do a few schematics.

    Yes, I am upset. I apolly again, but not really.

    I feel like apologizing in this case at all means another free day for freak rapists and little girl beaters and it turns my stomach.
    B

  25. anotherB says:

    @ localcvillegirl September 14, 2010 at 5:22 pm

    “I’ve been to several concerts at JPJ, many times late, and there are police all over the place.”

    This is exactly my point. What are they doing there? And if Morgan “caused worry” as it was stated in the papers, why didn’t they interfere?

  26. Eloise says:

    It sounds to me orangepark girl that perhaps Gil wrote that blog in response to the Oct 4th cleaning house at the bridge. Maybe not, but the timing was on target. The plaque and memorial are a nice gesture, minus the comment of her alleged whereabouts. That is somewhat like putting the cart before the horse. I mean last we heard, which was quite some time ago, this was a case under investigation. No claims on what happened when and by whom have been proved. So, what exactly is the point of that? But, I suppose that the plaque was a gesture to nudge the removal of the present memorial. It appears as though there may be some community member complaints about the image it presently portrays. As they would not want to set any precident in the event of any further murders.
    And no, this isn’t directed at any of our lovely BOCers. But anyone who has read any of the posts on the internet papers can clearly see, there are many unhappy campers when the topic of Morgan’s murder comes up.

  27. Eloise says:

    I noticed E, thank you.
    Allow me to run them down.

    See you in the ring!

    ps. a la Johnny Cash

  28. anotherB says:

    I still believe it is possible that she was in fact hitch hiking that night. She was obviously unable to use her phone, and maybe she was trying to get away from someone, maybe she was disoriented.

    Some time ago I posted how one of my friends, who is male, tall and rather tough, left his beer by the bar for a moment and ended up getting drugged. The police showed him surveillance videos of him handing out cash to strangers in the streets. Date rape drugs to that.

    There is another story that keeps coming to my mind. Last winter, the son of a major bank executive from the US, who worked in Prague for a few months, took a train to Frankfurt to attend a concert, with one of his friends. The concert was in one of the suburbs, and someone gave them a lift to city center afterwards. However, they were still a fair distance away from their hostel, or whatever you may call it, which was situated in the red light quarter near the train station. They decided to walk, and at some point his friend asked someone for directions. When he turned around, he was gone. He must have walked back, and was found some time later by a passer by laying on the pavement. He still had his rucksack at that point. The passer by called an ambulance for him and explained to him in English that he had called help, at which point he suddenly jumped to his feet and ran off. He must have fled into nearby public transport premises, where he lost his rucksack. It was found just a few hours later by a security guard. Police used a sniffer dog to track his movements. He must have walked over a mile. His trace ended at the river bank. They found him a week later way down the river.

    His friend walked to the hostel, went to sleep and called the police the next day.

    The official press release says that this was an alcohol related accident. Personally, I believe that he also got disoriented because of hypothermia, and that this was the reason why he ended up in the water. It was November, and alcohol can lead to hypothermia very rapidly.

    Morgan was outside for quite a while, she didn’t have a coat, and she did drink alcohol inside the arena. It would be good to hear from a medic about whether this is a likely scenario. After all, it was not quite as cold as in the other case.

    another B-

    We do not have any confirmation Morgan drank inside the arena.

    I DO KNOW that hypothermia is not likely to be a factor in this case. I had a fairly recent observation of an autopsy for a COD due to hypothermia, which, for the most part, is a designation absent other obvious COD and based on external conditions, witness accounts and physical evidence as available.

    None of which cause post-mortem fracture or “other”.
    B
    Give me a liver temp and uncompromised crime scene any day.

  29. Bradystjames says:

    http://www.newsplex.com/video?clipID=5102682&autoStart=true&contentID=102664109

    Sounds like the local PD and VSP are blaming each other for lack of posters….

    Looks like Bianca may read here.

    Good for her, Bad for an explanation about the sketch.
    B

  30. A Texas Grandfather says:

    Mom3.0

    We must all learn to listen with sharpened ears the conversations that young boys have with one another. Bad behavior begins around ages ten to twelve when some think it is “cool” to emulate the behavior of a bad guy in a movie, a comic strip, a favorite sports figure or an older child within their circle of friends. If this behavior exhibits low regard for girls or women, then they need to be immediately given a lecture on proper respect and behavior. Being politically correct and not saying anything that may hurt their “self esteem” is what allows this behavior to continue.

    When I was a child, every adult watched the behavior of children regardless of who’s child it was. If they saw poor behavior they would wait for proper discpline from a parent, but if none was forthcoming, then they would say something to both the parent and the child. This is a form of taking care of one another.

  31. A Texas Grandfather says:

    The street Copley appears to be a private street within the property of UVA. The bridge itself is over the right of way of the Norfolk and Southern RR. Why would the university have an ownership interest in the bridge? This would more than likley be a bridge built with funds from the city and perhaps aided by the state.

    I had the idea that the Harrington’s chose this site for the memorial because it could not be controlled by the university. I am like Blink in that I don’t believe Morgan was ever on that bridge.

    Anyone with an answer chime in with the information.

    Maybe she was on the bridge. I was not there.

    Unless I am presented with an aerial from the hubble, I will never believe she was hitchhiking.

    Incongruous to every known and unknown fact in this case. I hope the witness is kronk proof.

    B

  32. A Texas Grandfather says:

    The probability of bad behavior of some members of LE, security, and NGVFD seem to be growing. Some of the actions from Greene county seem to point out rogue behavior there as well.

    Solving this case may point the way to clearing some of the rapes and assaults along the hwy. 29 corridor. We need a road map of who and what to make sense of it.

  33. Blink says:

    CW

    Yes friend. Breathe yourself and long day.
    B

  34. Mom3.0 says:

    Meadow-

    Hello, I am glad that you feel comfortable at BOC. I for one, welcome your posts. They give me much to think upon.

    I do not think your posts regarding violence and desensitization ect we’re off topic. I would hope everyone here feels the same, and extends the same thoughts towards my posts on violence, and censorship ect. I hope we can all see the merit in this discussion and how it may pertain to Morgan’s case, especially to those that took her life. As I believe once brought to justice, we could hear alot about overexposure to violent music, movies, images ect, somehow being an excuse to why this person/s did what they did.

    You wrote:

    Mom3, I don’t know if I was the catalyst for your post about censorship, I feel I must have been.
    However, I said nada about censorship. Don’t believe in, would never condone it and strongly do not believe that ‘morality’ can be legislated. I treasure literature and art, music….and will even admit to a Nine Inch Nail phase not long ago :) . You may have been extrapolating for yourself but I want to make it clear I didn’t and don’t condone censoring anything, except child porn and anything to do w/violence against children.

    Yes Meadow, I was extrapolating on your post, not for myself, but for everyone, as I believe sharing our fears, hopes, experiences and ideas will benefit each of us.

    I am sorry if I misunderstood you. I took the words in your earlier post to mean you thought that fictional violence, and violence in the news, in movies, tv shows ect were leading us all, as a society, to become desensitized to violence. Thereby leading to more real world violence. I thought in your earlier post that you were calling for an end to:

    “the collective attitudes and maybe risks of living in the free world with rampant, unbridled trash that sells and distorts with infinite internet porn, sensational media stories, sexual and sadistic violence in movies, mindless TV shows, anonymous, casual sex, those “girls gone wild” shows ”

    Which, for me, as I first read it, would mean censorship. But I now understand, with your follow-up post that you were only voicing your opinion and fears, and were asking everyone to look at themselves, and their choices. You weren’t calling for censorship.

    You also wrote:

    “Everyday mind numbing violence is on our TV’s, in the movies, in our papers, etc… Some families gather round the TV nightly to watch violent shows as a way to bond and be together. All of this perpetuates the numbing qualities of real life violence. It has the ability to acclimate us to violence-particularly against women and children, the elderly, and of course is often sexually violent as well”

    Again, I apologize for misunderstanding you. I did not realize you had written the above, as only your opinion, nor did I realize, until your subsequent post, that you were speaking of only your need “to examine your own behaviors and tendencies”and that you were calling for self-censorship.
    Thank you for clarifying your thoughts. Let me say, I am in agreement with you. We need to look at ourselves and our choices.

    And why we make those choices:
    I believe that violence in movies, literature, and tv shows can be used in a good way. You wrote of families that sit around their tv sets to bond over violent shows- If they are used as a teaching tool, I can see the merit of doing this. I can also see the merit of observing the children’s reactions, questions and concerns. Fairy tales and Aesop’s Fables were once told to children daily, along with other violent or disturbing stories/legends as a way to teach a moral or warn of dangers, as well as teach children a lesson.

    I believe this can be done today, with tv shows, books ect.
    What it boils down to for me is responsible viewing. All based upon age appropriateness, of course. I do not believe that fictional violence or historical violence perpetuates a desensitization to real violence. I believe if viewed with responsibility, it can teach empathy, compassion, consequences of choices ect.

    It is my job as a parent to watch over my children. It is my job as a parent to help my children interpret what is viewed, listened to or read.

    School’s often times employ this technique as well, using media as a teaching block. Countless times I myself, have received permission slips to sign, showing my consent that my children be allowed to read a book or watch a documentary/ movie, which could be seen as questionable, or violent ect. The teacher undoubtedly wanted to have the students read the book or view the movie as a teaching tool, inorder to discuss and point out lessons. The teacher saw the merit of these films and books, even though or perhaps because they included violence.

    Meadow you wrote:

    But if we are witnessing this type of violence daily in our lives—for ENTERTAINMENT, then how will we ever wake up to what is done to our girls, our children, the marginalized, ever?!!!! It sounds as if–and this breaks my heart– what happened to Morgan, that it was a plot from one of these awful Freddy Kruger or whatever his name is and whatever those movies are about–the ones that butcher women–terrified, helpless young women, running for their lives. The sort of movie(s) that people PAY to go see and enjoy!

    Meadow, I understand your disgust. I understand that you do not find horror movies, especially graphic ones, as an acceptable form of entertainment.

    But there are millions of people that do. They pay their hard-earned money to sit back and be scared, safely in the comfort of the theater or in their own home. They are not hurting anyone.

    They are not killers. They are not sexual miscreants. They are people that like horror films. Do people who ride roller coasters or like bumper-cars- speed more frequently or go out of their way to crash into people on the open road?

    It is a big jump IMO to assume because they watch these types of things, that they do not understand what is happening in the real world to women and children. It is also a big jump to assume IMO, that they no longer care about real world violence, murder and death, or that they will go out and harm someone.

    I agree with you Meadow, that individual responsibility is the key, not censorship. The beauty of America, I believe, is freedom. We all have a choice, if we do not like horror films we need not watch. If we think we are being assaulted by tasteless, vulgar, trash, in literature, on tv, in movies, in the news, we have the ability to walk away, or turn it off. If we feel, that we, and/or our children are becoming desensitized to violence, by all means, we need to make that choice to NOT subject ourselves and our children to these forms of media.

    Meadow, In your first post you asked: “If anyone has any words of wisdom please share them. I am yearning for LIGHT”

    I don’t know how wise my words are, but I hope my thoughts helped you to see another perspective.

    Thanks for your thoughts Meadow, and thank you for helping me to better understand your stance. As Blink said, and I agree, I think we need to find a healthy balance. Too much of anything is bad. We need to watch our intake and that of our children.

    Peace

  35. Houston Mom says:

    meadow, I’ve taken note of the book. I think I have heard of it and will now get it. Thank you. CADILLAC … since people are commenting on MMA, could steriods be involved? I understand they can cause a change in personality; rage as well as sexual impotence in males. A high-school football player here, some years back, became enraged in a class, and destroyed the entire room. If the kids and teacher had not gotten out there would have been serious physical harm or worse. He was found to be taking steriods. His circle of friends had slowly seen changes in him and were becoming concerned – just not soon enough. And, his girlfriend said he would become frustrated and scarey to her …. I’m just throwing this out there and I don’t know exactly why. (PS: I still can’t do paragraphs!)

  36. Mom3.0 says:

    I agree with others that Gil’s most recent post was in answer to the plaque and UVA president’s choice of words.

    I agree with others that ‘passing’ is a sugar coated word for died and in my experience does not lend itself to a murder victim who didn’t simply die, but was KILLED. Perhaps, the president, did not mean any harm, and was trying to be overly careful of his words as not to offend The Harrington’s. I would hope that was the reasoning behind the wording and not something else.

    Many have questioned Morgan’s sighting and hitch hiking on the bridge. Who saw her there, how did they know it was definitely Morgan, and how did they know she was hitch hiking?
    I believe, almost a year later, many are still asking these questions.

    The only witness, that I am aware of, who placed Morgan on that bridge, and alone, and hitch hiking was/is MV

    Morgan Harrington’s remembrance plaque is going to read, forever, that Morgan was last seen alive on the bridge. It reads as if this is fact and that everyone knows this to be true.

    So if it is fact, and LE KNOWS this to be true, did they share this information with UVA? If so LE MUST be basing it on more than one witness account. I would respectfully ask how many other witness’s saw her there, on the bridge, alone, hitch-hiking-?

    If this fact is based upon only MV’s account and a report that dog’s picked up Morgan’s scent there, IMO this is not enough to state it as fact.

    In the beginning, when we first read of a witness seeing her HH on the bridge, we asked how were they sure that it was Morgan- Did they know her?

    I do not think MV was lying, and I do not know if she was mistaken and I do not know if it is just as she wrote-(pp) She saw her at 9:30 too, She was on the bridge on Alderman, trying to Hitch Hike she was alone. I again, am not even sure if there were more witness’s.

    I realize that Morgan’s parent’s themselves placed Morgan’s memorial there. Perhaps Morgan was last seen on the bridge, and they know this. Or perhaps they chose the sight based on MV sighting, or as TGF speculated, because it was not on campus property/control. IDK

    Whatever the case, I still believe the questions that have been asked should be answered.

    BLink, you wrote that you hope the witness is kronk proof.

    The only reason, a witness wouldn’t be kronk proof, to my understanding, is that they may have questionable ties or other. I am just going to ask- is MV related to people that work at UVA?

    Or did you simply ask that because MV unwittingly put herself as the last known person to see a murder victim alive, there by according to every mystery I have ever read, places her in an awkward position? TIA

  37. Mom3.0 says:

    I would like to share with you all one of my favorite songs/videos
    Queen/David Bowie -Pressure.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a01QQZyl-_I

    Perhaps in the light of day it will all work out,no matter what obstacles we face now.

  38. alexandra says:

    meadow. Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. We must be responsibly free people. Pray that our society gets well again.
    2 4 1 Morgan

  39. alexandra says:

    the rocks and items do not block the sidewalk. they are neatly arranged on a shelf and out of the way.

  40. MsL says:

    My point was that perhaps the University President does use the word pass or passing as another term for death, dying, etc. Obviously, Morgan died violently, but regardless of the fact that she died at the hands of another, she has “passed away.” Many people I know, even myself, often refer to death as passing or passing away, regardless of the manner of “passing.” I really think to pick out her choice of words in this comment is perhaps not fair. To me, it’s just a normal form of speech and I would have never thought to question a hidden meaning to her words.

  41. alexandra says:

    since Maggie Voth (UVA) identified herself and claims to have seen Morgan HH on the bridge, why can’t someone ask her to come here and talk with us? Or is she in seclusion?

  42. MsL says:

    Another comment about whether or not Morgan was last seen on University property or on the bridge. IMO, whether or not Morgan was on University property when she was taken, at this point in time, is so much less important than finding her killer. Why constantly argue about a few feet of dirt when there’s a killer out there? Hopefully, an arrest will be made, facts will become public knowledge, and the Harringtons, Morgan’s family, can made a decision about whether or not they want to pursue any type of action against the University.

  43. Amy says:

    question: Do we have images of cops and security s clothing at the concert? What kind of outfit did THEY choose that night? Was it fitting for a cold night out? I bet it was. Were they ‘appropriatly dressed’ ? I dont think so at least one of them should have been without a coat

    because he offered it to keep her warm…

  44. Judi says:

    Texas Grandfather – let me first say that I think you are a wonderful contributor here and I enjoy reading your posts!! Secondly, I agree with you (and Blink, of course!) I do not believe Morgan was ever HHing. You may be right on why the Harringtons chose the bridge as the place for Morgan’s memorial. I had never thought of that and it makes sense.

  45. Concerned Mom says:

    redly says:
    September 14, 2010 at 8:58 pm
    UVA does not own the bridge. It belongs to the city and I am sure they do want the sidewalk back at some point while still showing sensitivity to the harringtons and morgan’s memory. With all due respect, IMO charlottesville has done a lot to honor morgan’s memory. There are not many murders in charlottesville so it is difficult to compare but I don’t think any other murder has received close to similar treatment from the city. It does seem like they cannot win for trying sometimes. As for the use of the word passing, its a memorial to her not to her murder. Ms. Sullivan used a word that doesn’t focus on what the bad guy did to her. Maybe its not perfect, but few of us are.

    I have to say redly, I respect you very much, but I find you as guilty of a lack of objectivity as you accuse others of. There was one murder in 2009.

    Morgan Harrington.

    And considering the fact that Yeardley Love’s murder is getting an entire day of “dialogue” ON CAMPUS, I do not think the issue is focused on specific injuries to these women, but the broader subject matter.

    The sidewalk is passable, no?
    B
    ************************************************************
    Does anyone know if Dr. and Mrs. Harrington are OK with removing Morgan’s memorial now or are they getting pressure from the city to remove it? All of the items placed on the bridge were supposed to STAY until her murderer/murderers were arrested. I hope to God that the city is not forcing this, b/c if they are, citizens of Charlottesville will speak up. IF the Harringtons are OK with it, we will not speak up.
    Does anyone know?

  46. fish says:

    Blink, I was going to forewarn you that I have a post to Meadow, straight from the tackleboc(box) and it was long. Then, I saw this and thought scrap that.

    Who would give a crap about my life perspective.
    ~~~

    “..”Well-wishers have been placing signs, flowers, painted rocks and other mementos on the bridge since last fall. These will be removed and sent to the Harrington family on Oct. 4 in preparation for the dedication and memorial…”

    I know I am going to seem like a wet blanket, for that I apologize.

    I was aware this being planned, and I am having a very hard time standing behind the wording of the plaque.

    “was seen alive on the bridge”?

    Really, last I heard, it was a woman matching her description.

    Oh how I wish I could just go with the flow sometimes, I so want the Harrington’s have a memorial for Morgan they deem fitting, I just feel this wording is more like the first line of a defense request for discovery motion.

    I’m sorry if I offend anyone excited about it. B”

    ~~~
    O B S E R V E R!!!

    What do you think about the vocabulary word “passing”?
    What do you think about the phrase “was seen alive on this bridge”?

    How does this sit with you? Ol’ Wise One.
    Why cannot Sullivan and the UVA Board wait on this?
    What’s the rush??? and why the need???
    Is the family ok with this?
    BTW, Just askin’ because this lame-ass survivor doesn’t understand!
    And I’m not goingn to apologize that I don’t and I’m not going to apologize that the below is my opinion.

    ~~~

    and Blink: Not that this matters but someday it might. And then I will have a ton to say! Maybe we can call the show TalkSoup. Wait, that’s already taken.
    The first line of defense means ‘nadda’ in the eyes of a jury and sometimes even a judege.
    Sometimes you win.
    No, you do not get them back but make a bad guy pay.
    Whomever that bad guy is and however much you can make them pay.
    You can pay it forward to others in need.
    Like kids who lose their mothers. and fathers.

    I feel like my postings are becoming de ja vue, all over again, and again, and again. We have covered so much.
    Some of us have been through this before.

    Slam the victim.

    I said that people would have a problem with the memorial.
    Flowers fading, teddy bears wet and soggy.
    Make it all go away PLEASE. Noone wants the reminders!
    We suffered THE same.
    ***I cannot find my post so long ago but I’m going try.
    I can’t blame them. TRUST ME it is harder for US when WE drive by our beloved’s memorials.
    It is Hard with a capital ffing H!
    My parents wanted none of it. None of it they got.
    Their decision.
    But that doesn’t mean one just replaces it with whatever. There can be compromise. I don’t have a problem with that. Hell, even some states place white plagues, signs on roadways now where tragic crashes happen and yes, even signs for our men and women lost in war. And yes, even its ok to place something at sights where murders take place.

    NEW PLEX FLASH! They all matter! We need to see things as they are and not the way we want them to be. Make sense?

    Does UVA think that this is the first time death and death by murder ever has happened in this country? (Speaking only of Morgan not any of the others that have lost their lives in Charlottesville to the hands of murderous cowards)Although I feel for each and every one of them)
    Lots of people are murdered and no, they do not PASS like gas!!!

    Sullivan, that is to you!

    And I’m NOT, NOT, NOT being funny here!
    I’m dead serious.
    They do not pass, dear lady.
    Shall I send you autopsy photos?
    Shall I show you what your so-called “PASSING” looks like???

    They die because of a vast majority of reasons.
    Rage, violence, and yes, some of it even fall through the cracks but everyone is held to task. Even the dead!
    B U T!
    UVA has a moment of clarity here and I certainly hope that they change thier collective minds and rewrite that copy.
    _____

    “last seen alive”
    Well, technically that isn’t even true.
    What about HIM!!!!
    _____

    It all just sounds disrepectful. Oh, wait a minute, that is only coming from someone who has been there done that and I guess that I have nothing to offer.
    I do not believe Morgan just passed!
    My sister just did not “PASS”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Her skull fractured.
    Blood ran out and right before the eyes of someone who should have never seen this! And, yea, it was even after that witness saw the many beatings at the hands of HIM!
    Jeeze!!
    Let me go here!
    My best friend, Oh wait! Another fractured skull and bloating like no other. Skin rripping. Gett the ugly picture?????!!!!!!
    Nooooooo, they did not “PASS”, go “PASSING”, or even “PASSED”

    I know why I’m upset with this “catch phrase”!
    It makkes YOU ALL feel better.

    No, localcvillegirl.
    Thhey are not damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
    They are only damned if they don’t do the right thing!
    They know what that is!
    I gues I could digress and say nobody’s words will matter.
    They after all, have “PASSED”!

    Blink: I’ll ask!

    Did a cop or cop-wanna-be lure Morgan out of that arena???
    Was he infatuiated with a pretty girl???

    Rage, impotence, drugs; steroids, self–loathing, violence, loser, agression,, depraved spawn,
    OK, I guess that is “last seen alive” and ending up with her “passing”.

    Remember you all may not agree wiith me and that is OK.
    But let me give you my

    Shoes of Grief!

    &&& NOT my

    Shoes of Peace!

    MORGAN DANA HARRINGTON MATTERS!

    May we ask the VSP and Lt. Rader a question or two?

    Is it proof-positve that she was last on that bridge?
    Is that the so-called “following the evidence”?
    I think that is what they say in LE.

  47. ross says:

    It would be interesting to know if Ms. Sullivan, and UVA conferred with the Harrington’s re: the wording on the plaque?
    They did not have any input as to the wording, no.
    B

  48. anotherB says:

    @ Blink September 14, 2010 at 10:02 pm

    I didn’t mean to suggest that hypothermia was the cause of death in this case, just the reason why she may have been so confused that she got into somebody’s car which subsequently led to her being murdered.

    Understood anotherB, thanks.

    I worked on a case where the ultimate COD was attributable to hypothermia. My findings disagreed with that result, as did another colleagues and it still keeps me up nights on occasion. Someone got away with murder for now, maybe forever and it hurts my heart.

    I admit I am hypersensitive to hypothermia.
    B

  49. fish says:

    MsL” I hope that we can talk in real time.

    Passing is OK with me in deaths that are taken from cancers, heart attacks, and such.

    But to this day, my families and the families of others, do not refer to their death as passing. They just don’t. One family, to this day, will refer to her death as murder.

    I know you do not agree with me and I even wish you could have met my mother and meet my best friend’s mom. They were and are tormented.

    People in power and the decision making process just need to be careful with their words they choose.

    Does that explanation help?

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI

Leave a comment